Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on Playoffs + Happenings Around the NHL
The Blackhawks picked a bad year to miss the playoffs (again). Evidentially, this is the year of the underdog.

While the Hawks defensive issues would have resulted in an early exit had they made the post-season, the happenings of this year is a sign for all those bubble teams around the league that with a few smart moves, maybe… just maybe… they can be the Hurricanes of 2018-19.

Uno

What is Ceci looking for? Is his offense good enough? Unless Bowman envisions him as a top pairing guy he may too expensive if he's a second pairing guy who can't play in all situations.

What is Ceci looking for? Is his offense good enough? Unless Bowman envisions him as a top pairing guy he may too expensive if he's a second pairing guy who can't play in all situations.
- paulr

Not entirely sure.

Looking into comparibles.

Thinking about 5M though. So you're right... Bowman would really have to love Ceci.

I, for one, am very happy to jump on the Madden for assistant coach bandwagon!!

What is Ceci looking for? Is his offense good enough? Unless Bowman envisions him as a top pairing guy he may too expensive if he's a second pairing guy who can't play in all situations.
- paulr

He was over drafted, over paid and and a finesse defender in my humble opinion.

I just read Wheeler's top 100 and (I know he gets paid $$$ not the pittance I do at DraftSite) and realize it is a labor of love, but one of us has vastly overrated many prospects because the difference in our lists, well, is huge.
and I lose complete respect when I see Anttoni Honka name there, a kid you is lucky if based on "potential, not anything he has shown (or in his case completely failed to display) is anywhere in the top two rounds,

Just cause your mama and your cronies had him as a "certain" first rounder last year at this time, doesn't mean he is anywhere near being equal the potential of other kids around the globe who have jumped out as potential NHL upsiders...


You want to know when I think I know more than one of the two ATHLETIC draft "experts?" when they list a kid who isn't eligible until 2020
Connor Zary
as the 70th best player in the 2019 class.

I am not telling him different, he is working for three different draft publications that people pay for what they can get for free from the two finger typing of me at Draftsite...

iIwouldnt be so quick to get rid of Sadd, While he had a slow start played a nice second half and proved he can play with anyone and moved up and down the line up.

Continuing the discussion from the previous blog concerning the Hawks cap situation going forward. This takes into account some minor FA acquisitions this summer, but a Ceci/Saad type trade is entirely possible which would effect the cap numbers differently. I am sure Stan has a master spreadsheet showing dozens of roster/cap projections.


Let’s take a closer look at the Hawks roster and cap numbers for the next two seasons. Per Capfriendly Hawks have 15 players on the roster for next year, and assuming the cap goes up 3.5 million, they will have a bit over $22M in cap space. Let’s assume they resign their RFA’s Perlini, Kampf, Sikura, Forsling/Koekkoek, sign Kabulik, bring up Joki and use Delia as a backup. Those 7 players bring the roster to 22 and cost say a generous $8M, leaving $14M in cap space. There is still one roster spot available.

Now, do we want basically the same defense corps next year as this past season? Probably not. So, let’s say we sign a Chiarot type for $3M, replacing a Forsling/Koekkoek, adding a net of $2M to the cap, leaving $12M in cap space going forward. If we sign a Tanev type for $3M to become the 23rd player, $9M of cap space will be available. (Maybe about $3M go for a veteran backup goalie for 1 year as insurance for Crawford’s health?)

Let’s go to the 20/21 season and assume the cap goes up another $4M giving the Hawks $13M in cap space. The 8 players, excluding the possible backup goalie, signed above will be on the roster for that season, so add them to the capfriendly 20/21 roster gives them 16 players. We all know that Debrincat, Strome, Kahun, and Caggiula are RFA’s. Say we sign them for around 7.5, 5, 2.5, and 2M = $17M. 20 players total. Assuming we draft a forward this summer with the #3 pick and bringing him up or an Enwistle/Hagen will fill the 21nd spot replacing Hayden at basically a cap wash.

So, in 20/21, Hawks will add $17M to the roster, have to replace/resign Crawford and Gus and will be $4M above the cap. Replacing Cro with a prospect will cost about $1M and do you go with 2 of 3 of Delia/Forsberg/Lankinen in goal? Resign Gus for $4 or 5M or replace with a prospect on an ELC?

At a minimum the Cro and Gus replacements will cost about $2M meaning the Hawks have to shed $6M by next summer. If you resign Gus and obtain a veteran goalie backup at $3M, their cost would be $7-8M meaning the Hawks have to shed $11-12M. Moving Saad or Anisimov frees up some money but they have to be replaced.

Of course, lots of variables above, but it’s a starting point for discussion. Maybe Cat, Strome, et al sign for less than $17M. Maybe the 20/21 cap goes up more or less. To me the Hawks have the cap space this summer, but 20/21 will be tight.

LAST BLOG?

ok I am in...

So, Ryan Dzingel, let's NOT pursue him over the summer. After coming back from being scratched, I've found him to be a big time disappointment.

Wouldn't you know it, he scores. Still though.
- I Am The Breadman

Drought in playoffs, and Scott Powers and the Athletic staff have a big chubby, but no the $ is not well spent there...and there was someone saying Columbus pursue Josh Anderson...but he has a very lucrative Cap year left that the 'jackets aren't letting slip through their fingers even if every free agent leaves!

and I am not trying to dismiss any discussion on Josh Anderson type players, but...

are the Blackhawks one meat and potatoes mucker/scorer away from winning?

No.
So you use your resources other ways.
You go get your "Ladd" later when it is very apparent that your chemistry/composition is close to REALLY contending...

What is Ceci looking for? Is his offense good enough? Unless Bowman envisions him as a top pairing guy he may too expensive if he's a second pairing guy who can't play in all situations.
- paulr

Ceci makes Seabrook look like Drew Doughty by comparison. He is so slow and always out of position. Ask Senators fans what they think of him.

Tyler- What are your thoughts about JC if next year the hawks have a bad start in their first 20 games and his system does not seem to be working with the players they have?

Ceci makes Seabrook look like Drew Doughty by comparison. He is so slow and always out of position. Ask Senators fans what they think of him.
- GPHawksfan

I don't follow the Sens but the times I have seen them play I never thought of Ceci as slow, in fact I thought he had decent wheels. I can't speak to his overall play and positioning but I didn't think his skating ability was a weakness?

If the Oilers are going through a coaching change, what about Trent Yawney? We all know what he did for Seabs and Keith, and with some youngsters in the weeds he may be the perfect guy to get them up to speed.

Ceci makes Seabrook look like Drew Doughty by comparison. He is so slow and always out of position. Ask Senators fans what they think of him.
- GPHawksfan

Don't forget it's an Ek rumor, and only E3 at that. It ain't happening.

Cody Cece might bit too old for this group. I think they should target UFA or trade for "young veterans" .... about 26 to 29 years old, so they can maybe be the "older guys" once the young defensemen are ready to join the big club and Keith and Seabrook are done or just about. You don't want to break the bank too much, since there are other holes to fill as well. Remember, to address the depth issue, Hawks need some good new players to fit the program, and spending too much on one, might not leave with enough for others. Ben Chariot fits the age and salary description well

Trading Murphy weaken the defense next year IMO. The guy can play either side. He appears to be coming into his own, and he is one of the few Hawks that actually plays physical. I would rather have Murphy than Ceci as well. Paid less, plus more physical!!

Tyler Cameron: Thoughts on Playoffs + Happenings Around the NHL

The Blackhawks picked a bad year to miss the playoffs (again). Evidentially, this is the year of the underdog.

While the Hawks defensive issues would have resulted in an early exit had they made the post-season, the happenings of this year is a sign for all those bubble teams around the league that with a few smart moves, maybe… just maybe… they can be the Hurricanes of 2018-19.
- Tyler Cameron

Great write-up and excellent suggestion about Madden. If he could coach like he played then he could certainly help with the team's PK.

I wouldn't trade Saad for Ceci. I'm a big Saad fan, but I wouldn't have an issue parting with him for the right defensemen. I don't think Ceci is that right defensemen. I would rather keep Saad and try one of the free agent (Stralman, Edler, Nemeth, Chiarot) d-men on a 2-3 year deal while the prospects continue to develop.

Trading Murphy weaken the defense next year IMO. The guy can play either side. He appears to be coming into his own, and he is one of the few Hawks that actually plays physical. I would rather have Murphy than Ceci as well. Paid less, plus more physical!!
- ChicagoHope

Agreed, I'm not against Murphy being traded but my preference would be to keep him, even if he's on the third pairing. Stan really needs to take advantage of a team in a cap crunch to improve the defense without costing too much.

Is TC desperate to get Saad outta town or what? Seems to be the major piece he proposes be shipped in every scenario.

I don't follow the Sens but the times I have seen them play I never thought of Ceci as slow, in fact I thought he had decent wheels. I can't speak to his overall play and positioning but I didn't think his skating ability was a weakness?
- paulr

Ceci performs about as well as Jan Rutta - or doesn't perform if you will.

This is just another clueless EK rumour. Ceci is an RFA coming off a $4.3M deal and the Sens are not going to qualify him and pay him $5M. He is a pantload and I trust Stanbo knows that. And why would he pay him the same or more that Connor Murphy?

You should read what Trevor Schackles has to say about Cody Ceci. Saad for Ceci would be a steal for Ottawa. As a matter of fact why would you trade Saad?

Trading Murphy weaken the defense next year IMO. The guy can play either side. He appears to be coming into his own, and he is one of the few Hawks that actually plays physical. I would rather have Murphy than Ceci as well. Paid less, plus more physical!!
- ChicagoHope

100% Murphy > Ceci. No reason for the Hawks to hurt themselves with a trade that sends Murphy out for someone who isn't better but will cost more. It would be a deal that takes the Hawks in a direction completely against what Stan has been doing for the last 2 years.

Great write-up and excellent suggestion about Madden. If he could coach like he played then he could certainly help with the team's PK.

I wouldn't trade Saad for Ceci. I'm a big Saad fan, but I wouldn't have an issue parting with him for the right defensemen. I don't think Ceci is that right defensemen. I would rather keep Saad and try one of the free agent (Stralman, Edler, Nemeth, Chiarot) d-men on a 2-3 year deal while the prospects continue to develop.
- DarthKane

How about we give them AA + Edjsell for Ceci and sign him to a 1 year deal? Saad for Ceci is an overpay IMO.

Ceci performs about as well as Jan Rutta - or doesn't perform if you will.

This is just another clueless EK rumour. Ceci is an RFA coming off a $4.3M deal and the Sens are not going to qualify him and pay him $5M. He is a pantload and I trust Stanbo knows that. And why would he pay him the same or more that Connor Murphy?
- RickJ

Typical Ek trying to keep an interest going so we get all these bogus rumours. I'm so glad we no longer have to put up with the BS rumours on the Hawk blog.

How about we give them AA + Edjsell for Ceci and sign him to a 1 year deal? Saad for Ceci is an overpay IMO.
- breadbag

Personally, I think AA is an overpay. Hard pass on Ceci IMO.

Also, I think the tag “legitimate top 4 defender” is a stretch. On a really good team, he’s likely a bottom pairing guy with the ability to slot up on occasion.